Opened food shelf-life · UK & US

Most opened food outlives your guess.

UK homes bin roughly £730 of food a year — much of it still safe to eat (WRAP research). Search any opened food and get the real fridge window, spoilage signs, and freezing advice.

12 expert-checked foods covered · sourced from UK FSA and US FDA/USDA guidance · free, no signup

Condiments

Mayonnaise

UK guidance

Commercial mayonnaise keeps much longer than chilled dips, but pack guidance varies. TossOrKeep uses a conservative 60-day refrigerated window after opening.

Best quick answer

60 days

If opened today

Aim to use by 13 Sept 2026

What that means

This keeps longer, but cold storage and clean handling still matter.

Use this as a planning window, then check the real-world spoilage signs below before eating.

Make Mayonnaise last the full window

Do

  • Refrigerate promptly after each use, at 5°C / 40°F or below.
  • Use a clean utensil every time you take a portion.
  • Keep it sealed — the original lid or an airtight container.
  • Skip the freezer for this one — Do not freeze; emulsion breaks and texture becomes unusable.

Don't

  • Leave it out on the counter while cooking or serving.
  • Double-dip or return unused portions to the container.
  • Store it in the fridge door if you open the fridge often — it is the warmest spot.
  • Taste it to "test" safety. If in doubt, throw it out.

How Mayonnaise compares with other condiments

Opened storage windows vary a lot within a category. Days shown are after opening, refrigerated.

Food UK days US days Freezable
Mayonnaise 60 60 No
Green Pesto (Jar) 14 14 Yes
Tomato Ketchup 180 180 No

Where this guidance comes from

The Mayonnaise window blends official UK food-safety guidance with typical manufacturer opened-storage instructions. The label on your specific product always wins if it is stricter.

Storage note

Commercial mayo is refrigerator storage after opening in both regions, but brand wording varies a lot. This tracker uses a conservative 60-day window; if the jar gives a shorter instruction or points you to a date code, the label wins.

Check before eating

Look

Darkened streaks, mould, or dried crust around the lid.

Smell

Sharp sour or stale egg smell.

Texture

Split, watery, or curdled texture.

Freezing

No. Do not freeze; emulsion breaks and texture becomes unusable.

UK vs US

UK mode uses 60 days after opening. US mode uses 60 days after opening.

This item is tracked the same way in both UK and US mode.

FSA Guidelines is selected right now.

Source: UK FSA Guidelines & Manufacturer Expectations

Trust and method

TossOrKeep editorial desk

Legacy launch page; reviewed before dated workflow

Windows are conservative planning ranges built from public UK FSA and US FDA/USDA guidance, then tightened when typical manufacturer labels run shorter.

Cold storage, clean utensils, and label-first handling win over memory or social-media myths.

This page is specific to Mayonnaise. Similar foods in Condiments can still differ.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Mayonnaise last after opening?

When stored correctly according to guidelines, it generally lasts around 60 days. Always rely on your senses if it looks or smells off.

How can I tell if Mayonnaise has gone bad?

The best way is to check its appearance and smell. Darkened streaks, mould, or dried crust around the lid. Sharp sour or stale egg smell.

Can you freeze Mayonnaise?

No, it is not recommended. Do not freeze; emulsion breaks and texture becomes unusable.

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Also in Condiments

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Did you know?

Portion Mayonnaise out with a clean utensil each time — double-dipping shortens its usable life.

Based on UK FSA / US FDA storage guidance.

Cut waste further

People checking Mayonnaise usually need better storage, clearer labels, or a more visible fridge setup.

These links open Amazon UK searches for relevant storage tools. They are suggestions, not sponsorships.